NHK has a free spot-can they use it?

I was wondering with AC's withdrawal from NHK, can they ask another lady? Or is 8 days out too late to expect someone to throw their bag together and fly around the world to Japan? Do we as Americans have a better shot at that spot, or are we already at the max with 2 skaters going for ladies? Thanks...I have no idea how this works or doesn't. I hope someone can use that spot and like a lot of folks I wish it was katelynn osmond. Is it mostly world rankink that might get one a spot? Thanks for explanation, folks.

The ISU rules state that the host country does not have to fill a vacancy that occurs 7 days before the day of the Team Leaders meeting (that is, the day before the start of the event). For NHK, the team leaders meeting is on November 22nd. Czisny announced her withdrawal on November 14 in the US. If the announcement was made after 10 AM EST, that would have been November 15th in Japan---7 days before the team leaders meeting.

It si too bad JSF declined it, but I suppose onme less lady (like Osmond) makes it easier for their ladies...would this be the reasoning? There are so many ladies who would kill to have been invited. NHK is always exciting.

The ISU rules state that the host country does not have to fill a vacancy that occurs 7 days before the day of the Team Leaders meeting (that is, the day before the start of the event). For NHK, the team leaders meeting is on November 22nd. Czisny announced her withdrawal on November 14 in the US. If the announcement was made after 10 AM EST, that would have been November 15th in Japan---7 days before the team leaders meeting.

The JSF declined to fill the vacancy, as is their right.

No Chuck, for ISU purposes re: deadlines, time is not based on local time but CET in Switzerland, where the ISU is headquartered, which is merely 6 hours ahead of EST. Plus, the time difference between JST and EST is now 14 hours in the winter. So technically, the announcement would have been just about midnight on November 15 in Japan. You'd think these announcements aren't exactly news to these federations so it is highly doubtful that JSF really only knew about Czisny's withdraw in the morning of Nov. 15.

The real issue here is not operational but rather political, if I may say it plainly.

Clearly, JSF doesn't want Osmond in NHK for fear she could take away a GPF spot from a Japanese competitor. By Japanese standards, such act is considered cowardice but then, JSF is not known for their honor. Normally, people show some deference when Skate Canada makes requests because it's a good idea to be on SC's good side. In this case, it shows the intensity of the rapidly approaching 2014 Olympics and federations are angling every possible way to give their competitors an edge, even if an unjust one. But on the other hand, I don't think SC is pushing for this as much as some others might think, that's just my perception and I agree with that.

For me, I don't think Osmond missing the chance to qualify for the GPF is a big deal - it may be a blessing in disguise. Seeing how Virtue/Moir missed the 2006 Olympics by a hair, we now know it turned out to be a good idea. I hope Osmond can take time to grow in a healthy pace and not lose sight of her goals, which is to win Canadian Nationals, go to world and finish in the top 10 while maintaining a score above 170+. I also like to see her making adjustment to her program content to be more senior-like and have a complete repertoire of triple jumps up to the Lutz. Those are what really matters, not some wild goose chase of an illusive GPF. To do all that, she will need time to train and adjust and not having to deal with GPF will actually help her preparing for January and beyond.